Hi Guys,
I am seriousley new to tubes, but I have built some chipamps.
I gather that tubes need treating with respect due to the high voltages involved, so I wondered if anyone out there could who could recomend a begginer circuit with PSU and possibly some instructions?
A monoblock would do, or even a crash course on these most beautifull looking amps!!
Cheers.

as EC8010 said - kits are a great way to get your feet wet - I built my first amp from scratch (many years ago) after first modifying several existing amplifiers and making some simple linestages. Only then did I feel confident enough to tackle doing the metalwork and layout for an amplifier.

Instead of a kit, you may want to buy an existing vintage unit and bring it back up to 'spec - then start making modifications...

You may like to look at this to give you an introductory "flavour" of tubes. Take one of your chip amps and turn it into a "Gain Clone" by adding a tube front end. It won't give you the full tube amp experience but its an easy place to start particularly if you already have a chip amp you can play with.

As you say, high voltages merit serious respect. Apart from that, I find the metalwork to be the biggest challenge - for me, anyway. A kit is a good way to go; another possibility is to buy a used amp and cannibalize it or fix it up to your satisfaction.

Hi 1 & all,
Thanks for such an informative response; a very warm reception!
I think I'll stay! Much appreciated!!
Anyhow, I've not had any luck finding a battered vintage valve amp to restore <although I was offered a valve reciever from a WW2 DC10 Bomber>?
As I am very familliar with the LM3886 and LM4780 op-amps, or as they're more fondley called 'Gainclone's'. So it seems sensible to me to try one with a 'tube buffer'? This hybrid seems interesting and I've found the one by 'Analouge Audio' to be a good place for theory?
I agree that the chassis is often the challenge, while the electronics is often the easy part.
What do you guys think of the K-12 kit? It's cheap at least, meaning it's not so heartbreaking if I screw it up?
As to the afore mentioned hybrid, I already have most of the parts, except the 1 valve <a bit disapointed it only uses one little valve; gotta start somewhere?>, where can I get the Sovtek 6922?
Thanks again!

The buffers is there BECAUSE the chip is inverted... otherwise, if you want to put a pot infront of the amp, you will be adjusting the gain as you turn the knob....

Look up Franz's VBIGC it is pretty easy to do even without the PCBs, I did, and it was my first valve project. Doing it this way allows you a bit of freedom, Instead of makeing an integrated unit, I put the valve, pot and source selector into one case.. makes it easy to swap amps, and I no longer think of timers, and volume controls etc. when I test a new circuit, as the case also has timer switched mains outputs for the other audio components.